THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 30, 1995 TAG: 9504280221
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Town Talk
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
Other than an occasional spill or unexpected wasp nest, last week's ``Paint Your Heart Out Chesapeake'' went as smooth as the new paint spread on 25 homes in Chesapeake.
The annual ``Paint Your Heart Out'' is a community service project sponsored by the Chesapeake Rotary Club to spruce up the homes of elderly citizens on a limited income.
Earlier in the year, the Rev. Chuck Moseley of Great Bridge Baptist Church had been asked to be in charge of weather. His prayers were answered on paint day with a perfect 75 degrees, blue skies, sunshine and a cool breeze.
But according to Bill Hearring, materials acquisition chairman, the previous week had been hectic as team captains and work crews called in the final list of building supplies for each job site.
``I think I was asked to supply everything but a vice mayor last week,'' quipped Hearring.
Mayor William E. Ward, attired in a work-day T-shirt, presented flowers and admired the fresh paint and refreshed gardens at each stop. His Honor also welcomed Norfolk as a paint partner, as Norfolk Rotarians adopted the idea and took on the job of revitalizing three homes in their own city.
Upon meeting Norfolk's Mayor Paul Fraim, Ward had two admonishments.
``You can't paint in a shirt and tie,'' Ward told him. ``And remember where the idea originated.''
But Ward also graciously offered all the advice that Norfolk would like to have.
A volunteer team in South Norfolk worked hard for their homeowner. They raked, pruned, caulked and painted. There were new hand rails for front steps and new flower beds that replaced a jungle of shrubs.
The homeowner was very excited when Nancy J. Cross, chairperson for this year's project, arrived to get a look at all the accomplishments. But she took Cross past the fresh paint, azalea beds and handrails and instead held up a ``Paint Your Heart Out'' poster to show-off.
``It has my name on it and the names of all those who have helped me today,'' she exclaimed.
At another house, a master gardener was impressed with a large, climbing yellow rose bush bursting into blooms. The enthusiastic gardener thought it might be an unusual specimen. But the homeowner informed her it was a bush she had purchased at Roses' Department Store many years ago for just 10 cents.
At the same house, Cross and Harry Blevins, previous project chairman, were called to the rear of the house to confer about a potential problem.
They stared for a few minutes at a second-story window that awaited paint. Cross and Blevins shook their heads and seemed to disagree.
``It looks like a dove to me,'' said Cross as she pointed to the brown nesting bird in the window sill.
Blevins stared for a few more seconds.
``No, retorted Blevins. ``I still call it a one-eyed spotted owl.''
While Cross and Blevins debated their ornithological find, South Norfolk Ruritans sanded, caulked and painted while the Portlock Garden Club tilled, pruned and planted at their assignment on Stewart Street.
A photographer arrived to take pictures of all the activity just as team captain Ray Conner left to pick up a few extra supplies.
``But I know Conner would have stayed if he thought he was going to be in a picture,'' said one helpful Ruritan.
According to City Councilman John W. Butt, he was given a job working in a high place without a title. They assigned him to work on the roof. He hadn't been up there long before someone moved the ladder.
One overwhelmed homeowner's testimony summed up the day.
``I've never seen so many people work so hard to accomplish so much and still have so much fun.''
- Susan Smith by CNB